Match-box.



PATENTED MAY 19, 1908.

E. J. HAWKINS. MATCH BOX APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1906.

with zoom \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\l llllllll lllllllllllllffi I EDWARD J. HAWKINS, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

MATCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1908.

Application filed September 8, 1906. Serial No. 333,831.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. HAwxiNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Im rovements in Match-Boxes, of which the followin is a specification.

This invention relates to match boxes of the vest pocket type, and has for its objects to produce a comparatively simple, inexpensive device of this character from which the matches may be conveniently removed in single order, and one whereby the matches may, during the operation of removing them from the box, be readily ignited.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a match box embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fi 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a match box comprising side walls 2, a rear edge wall 3 and a front edge wall 4, which latter, together with the side walls, is cut away or recessed throughout substantially half the length of the box and at the nor mally upper portion thereof, as at 5, for exposing to View the upper portions of the matches 6 contained within the box.

Soldered or otherwise secured within the box 1 at a point adjacent its upper end is a match retaining member 7 composed of a single length of spring metal shaped to present a pair of cooperating spring jaws 8 having convergent end portions, the terminals of which contact as at 9, said member, which is disposed to project into the finger opening or recess 5, being adapted to embrace the matches 6 near their upper ends for preventing their accidental escape from the box.

The inner faces of the side walls of the box are provided with a roughened surface 10 comprising in the present instance sheets of sandpaper, emery cloth or analogous abrasive material cemented or otherwise applied to the said walls.

In practice, and in the operation of removing the matches from the box, the operator grasps the forward match which may be readily engaged owing to the provision of the recess 5 and gives the upper portion thereof a slight, outward movement, whereu on the meeting ends 9 of the spring jaws Vfil separate to permit the match to escape. The match may then be readily removed from the box and during its removal be ignited by bringing its head into contact with one or the other of the roughened surfaces 10.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A match box having its forward edge wall and its side walls partially cut away to provide a match exposing and discharging opening near one end of the box, and a spring retaining member attached to the side walls of the box on the inner sides thereof and having spring arms extending across the side walls and across the said opening at a point a suflicient distance from said end of the box to be out of contact with the heads of the matches, said spring arms having their outer ends turned toward each other, said spring arms engaging the matches to prevent their casual cscape through said opening, permitting the matches to be drawn outwardly between their outer ends, and terminating at a point within the plane of the forward edge wall.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUCY HAwxINs, I

NANCY HAWKINS. 

